Tens of thousands to be poured into bolstering police in Lutterworth crime hotspot

The cash has been provided by the Home Office
Rupert Matthews.Rupert Matthews.
Rupert Matthews.

Tens of thousands of pounds are to be poured into beefing up policing in “high risk crime hotspot” Lutterworth – and making the town’s streets safer.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has secured an extra £432,000 for the county’s force.

The cash is being stumped up by the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund.

Mr Matthews will spearhead a major project to prevent theft, burglary and robbery in Lutterworth, Castle Donnington, Hinckley and Melton Mowbray.

The four towns have all been identified as “high risk crime hotspots” by police.

New police automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and CCTV will be set up as well as better street lighting.

And up to 1,900 households will be offered free security upgrades worth a total of £186,000 to help make their homes more secure.

"This is good news for residents and communities living in our county towns and will help to boost confidence and feelings of safety.

"These new security measures, alongside greater engagement with local police officers and environmental improvements, will not only remove opportunities for crime but will ensure local people feel good about the area in which they live and less anxious and fearful about being targeted,” said Mr Matthews, who lives in Kibworth Beauchamp.

"I made it very clear in my manifesto how I wanted to build stronger communities and prevent the kind of crimes and disorder that endanger or disrupt the peace and safety of local people.

"Safer Streets will help us to do just that by funding a raft of measures enabling us to tackle problems head-on where they have the most impact and persistently drain police services.

“I want more offenders caught and more crime prevented and we have a real opportunity here to make a difference.

"While our overall ambition is to reduce crime, Safer Streets is also about improving the mental wellbeing of those who live and work in the area, reducing vulnerability and increasing feelings of safety and security.

"Our Partners are central to the delivery of this project.

“We will work together to increase community resilience and problem-solving, improve the physical environment for residents, and make these so-called ‘hotspots' a no-go area for criminals,” stressed Mr Matthews.

"I'm determined to deliver efficient and robust policing across the entire force area.

“The health and wellbeing of the public are vitally important to me and I'm looking forward to seeing the results of this programme."

The Government's Safer Streets Fund aims to wipe out crimes which plague communities and make life hell for victims.

Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said: "We are really pleased to see that funding has been made available for these local schemes where we will continue to work with our partners to keep people safe."

Cllr Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council's Cabinet lead on community safety, said: "I am delighted that Lutterworth will benefit from funding from the Home Office which will make a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of our residents.

“The funding will include provision for enhanced CCTV coverage as well as other measures to tackle car crime and theft.

“Everyone should have the right to feel safe in their communities, so this is welcome news."